‘Why?’

Published: Sunday, June 23, 2013 at 11:03 a.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, June 23, 2013 at 11:03 a.m.

Robert McManus of Hendersonville, responding to a Mountains to Molehills reader’s discussion on highspeed sports cars and assault weapons, continues the comparison. “Sport cars and all other vehicles,” he says, “are designed for the pleasure and safety of the driver and the public. The vehicle owner must register the vehicle before it is driven on the highway. The vehicle must have liability insurance before it is driven.

The driver must take both a visual and a driving test before he is allowed to drive. Unless I am mistaken, none of these items apply to assault weapons or their owners. I have still not heard an answer to the question. Why does a person outside of the military or police agencies need an assault weapon?”

◆

FEED YOUR WIT with these aphorisms from Don Keefauver of Hendersonville: “A sparse meal with friends is better than a feast with strife.” “My self-esteem will determine if my mind will open and how far.” “That which enhances life, all life, is my religion.”

“The more we understand, the less we need to forgive.”

◆

GIARDINI: Bob Perrin of Inman, S.C., says the name Jenny Salkewicz may be unfamiliar to some people, but he has learned she is the Californiatrained chef recently hired by Giardini, a popular farmhouse restaurant in Columbus. “Trained by Thomas Keller and Richard Redington in the Napa Valley, she is a master chef with a deep understanding of what it takes to prepare the very best in Italian cuisine,” says Mr. Perrin. “A native of Hendersonville, she brings years of skilled apprenticeship to make dining at Giardini one of this region’s finest dining experiences. To top it off, the owners, Mary Lyth and Joe Laudisio, raise much of their own fare organically in full view of their clientele. Welcome back to the Blue Ridge, Jenny!” Giardini is at 2411 Highway 108 East.

Directions: From Hendersonville, take I-26 east to exit 67 and stay left on the exit to take Highway 74 east toward Rutherfordon. Take the first Highway 74 exit, which is the Mill Spring exit. At the bottom of the exit, turn left onto Highway 108 East. You’ll see the farm about 1 mile out on the left.

◆

GOTCHA!: A woman on the bus struck up a conversation with a male gun enthusiast. “Do you shoot your gun often?” she asked. “Yes, every week,” said the man. “How much do you shoot at the target range?” she asked. “Around three boxes of ammo,” he said. “How much does a box of ammo cost?” she continued. “Roughly $30,” said the man. “And how long have you been target shooting?”

she asked. “Thirty-five years,” he said. “You are shooting about four times a month at a total cost of about $360, so you’re spending about $4,320 per year, right?” figured the woman. “Correct,” said the man. “If in one year you spend $4,320 on ammo,” she said, “35 years puts your spending so far at roughly $151,200, correct?” “Correct,” he said. “Did it ever occur to you,” she said, “that if you never shot guns for the past 35 years you’d have enough money for a brand new Ferrari?” The man shot back, “Do you shoot?” “No,” she said. “So,” said the man, “where is your Ferrari?”

◆

LAST BUT NOT LEAST: Blue Ridge Community Health Services of Hendersonville is offering a free community education event, Living Well Past 50, on Tuesday. It will be the first of a summer lecture series offered as a part of Blue Ridge Community Health Services’ 50th anniversary celebration. Teresa Fralix, a board-certified family practice physician, will lead the discussion about ways to live a healthier, happier life after age 50. The session is open to the public and will run from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Meloun Community Room on the second floor of the medical building at the corner of Howard Gap Road and Highway 64 East. Reserve a seat by calling Michael Munoz at 692-4289.

<p>Robert McManus of Hendersonville, responding to a Mountains to Molehills reader's discussion on highspeed sports cars and assault weapons, continues the comparison. “Sport cars and all other vehicles,” he says, “are designed for the pleasure and safety of the driver and the public. The vehicle owner must register the vehicle before it is driven on the highway. The vehicle must have liability insurance before it is driven.</p><p>The driver must take both a visual and a driving test before he is allowed to drive. Unless I am mistaken, none of these items apply to assault weapons or their owners. I have still not heard an answer to the question. Why does a person outside of the military or police agencies need an assault weapon?” </p><p>◆ </p><p>FEED YOUR WIT with these aphorisms from Don Keefauver of Hendersonville: “A sparse meal with friends is better than a feast with strife.” “My self-esteem will determine if my mind will open and how far.” “That which enhances life, all life, is my religion.”</p><p>“The more we understand, the less we need to forgive.” </p><p>◆ </p><p>GIARDINI: Bob Perrin of Inman, S.C., says the name Jenny Salkewicz may be unfamiliar to some people, but he has learned she is the Californiatrained chef recently hired by Giardini, a popular farmhouse restaurant in Columbus. “Trained by Thomas Keller and Richard Redington in the Napa Valley, she is a master chef with a deep understanding of what it takes to prepare the very best in Italian cuisine,” says Mr. Perrin. “A native of Hendersonville, she brings years of skilled apprenticeship to make dining at Giardini one of this region's finest dining experiences. To top it off, the owners, Mary Lyth and Joe Laudisio, raise much of their own fare organically in full view of their clientele. Welcome back to the Blue Ridge, Jenny!” Giardini is at 2411 Highway 108 East.</p><p>Directions: From Hendersonville, take I-26 east to exit 67 and stay left on the exit to take Highway 74 east toward Rutherfordon. Take the first Highway 74 exit, which is the Mill Spring exit. At the bottom of the exit, turn left onto Highway 108 East. You'll see the farm about 1 mile out on the left. </p><p>◆ </p><p>GOTCHA!: A woman on the bus struck up a conversation with a male gun enthusiast. “Do you shoot your gun often?” she asked. “Yes, every week,” said the man. “How much do you shoot at the target range?” she asked. “Around three boxes of ammo,” he said. “How much does a box of ammo cost?” she continued. “Roughly $30,” said the man. “And how long have you been target shooting?”</p><p>she asked. “Thirty-five years,” he said. “You are shooting about four times a month at a total cost of about $360, so you're spending about $4,320 per year, right?” figured the woman. “Correct,” said the man. “If in one year you spend $4,320 on ammo,” she said, “35 years puts your spending so far at roughly $151,200, correct?” “Correct,” he said. “Did it ever occur to you,” she said, “that if you never shot guns for the past 35 years you'd have enough money for a brand new Ferrari?” The man shot back, “Do you shoot?” “No,” she said. “So,” said the man, “where is your Ferrari?” </p><p>◆ </p><p>LAST BUT NOT LEAST: Blue Ridge Community Health Services of Hendersonville is offering a free community education event, Living Well Past 50, on Tuesday. It will be the first of a summer lecture series offered as a part of Blue Ridge Community Health Services' 50th anniversary celebration. Teresa Fralix, a board-certified family practice physician, will lead the discussion about ways to live a healthier, happier life after age 50. The session is open to the public and will run from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Meloun Community Room on the second floor of the medical building at the corner of Howard Gap Road and Highway 64 East. Reserve a seat by calling Michael Munoz at 692-4289. </p><p>Reach Lou Parris at 828-694-7836 or molehills@blueridgenow.com.</p>